CHARLES ROSE

CHARLES IS THE FOUNDER OF BARBER SHOP/GROOMING BRAND CRATE CHESHIRE, COMPRISING THREE SALONS, A PRODUCT LINE AND A VTCT TRAINING ACADEMY.

@CHARLESROSE1

We’re about to launch our brand-new academy and photographic studio, which is very exciting!

“MY APPROACH TO BUSINESS IS TO BE FAIR, HONEST AND PROFESSIONAL – BUT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS HAVING FUN ALONG THE WAY.”

IT LIST 2024 OPEN NOW! SIX BRILLIANT TROPHIES – WHICH ONE’S YOURS?

I love that we can give people the service they are after, a look they love and the confidence to be their best selves

Me and the Crate team

What attracted you into hairdressing in the first place?

Both of my parents work in the industry, and I was lucky enough to grow up seeing how happy they were at work and how much they enjoyed being in the salon. That was all the inspiration I needed!

What do you love about working in hair? I love how people can express themselves in different ways through hair. I love the fact we can be the ones to give them the service they are after, a look they love and the confidence to be their best selves.

What excites you about what your generation is achieving in the hairdressing industry right now?

I love the fact everyone is learning lots of new skills, from hairdressing to barbering, from barbering to becoming colourists. It’s great that people are learning all sides of the industry and fully immersing themselves.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

That’s a tough one. I think fair pay and credit for editorial work is something we should all get behind; session stylists deserve it!

What ambitions do you have for 2024?

To keep growing our brand, to keep growing our people and creating opportunities for everyone at Crate Cheshire. We are about to launch our brand-new academy and photographic studio, which we are very excited about! Watch this space…

Any advice for someone thinking about entering the It List 2024?

Just do it. You never know what might happen!

I helped with the styling on this shoot. We created a wet-look effect with water spray and tail combs. It is very tedious and timeconsuming but it’s also so satisfying. I love how this turned out

Where I work: The Lounge in Ashbourne

A BTS from my shoot. I did this colour, too, using copper on the roots on pre-lightened hair and then I went in with a really bright yellow

“THREE YEARS AGO, I HAD NO IDEA HOW BIG THE HAIR WORLD WAS, ESPECIALLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA. NETWORKING IS A BIG THING IN THIS INDUSTRY.”

What do you love about your career in hair?

That you can be anyone you want – there are so many ways you can express yourself and who you truly are. I have never felt judged as a hairdresser. I love that it’s such an open and honest profession and that you can get as creative as you want.

What have you been up to since winning your award?

I’ve been in the salon working on my clients, creating work that I love. I have just done my first-ever photoshoot, and I loved every moment of it.

What excites you about what you and your peers are achieving right now?

It’s the incredible level of creativity and self-expression that we’re bringing to the table. We’re not afraid to think outside the box, try new techniques and create unique looks that truly reflect our clients’ personalities. It’s all about embracing individuality and celebrating diversity, and that’s what makes our work so exciting and fulfilling.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

This whole ‘you’re ‘just’ a hairdresser’ thing. Hairdressers are artists, therapists, and confidants all rolled into one. They have the power to transform not just hair, but also confidence and selfesteem. I would love to see more recognition and appreciation for the multi-dimensional role that hairdressers play in people’s lives. They truly make a difference.

What made you enter the It List in 2023?

I wanted to push myself to do more and prove to myself that I am amazing. I lacked in confidence from a young age, so I took myself out my comfort zone last year by entering lots of competitions, and I’m so glad I did!

Any advice for someone thinking about entering the It List 2024?

Don’t try and be something or someone you’re not. You’re trying to get an award for you, so be yourself to the full.

What ambitions do you have for 2024?

I want to try and do as much as I can. I’d love to be able to travel all over the world with my job, so I want to lay the foundations for that.